SAN FRANCISCO - April 30, 2018 - PRLog -- Effective immediately, Toni Newman and Pike Long will be taking over as the Executive Director and Deputy Director, respectively, for St. James Infirmary (SJI), www.stjamesinfirmary.org, in San Francisco, CA. Newman and Long will be joining a highly decorated executive medical staff, consisting of Dr. Pratima Gupta and Charles Cloninger, NP.

St. James Infirmary is a peer-based occupational health and safety clinic located in San Francisco, CA, offering free, compassionate, and non-judgmental healthcare and social services for former and current sex industry workers. With the many challenges facing the aforementioned, including but not limited to political climate, homelessness, violence, and the overwhelming intricacies of the legal, public and social systems; St. James Infirmary Offers a non-biased alternative, providing individuals with culturally competent and non-judgmental services.

"We are thrilled to have Toni and Pike join St. James Infirmary, especially during this challenging time in sex worker rights and health. They have demonstrated fundraising expertise, finesse, perseverance, and a vision for the clinic that is achievable but beyond anyone's expectations for a peer-based sex worker clinic. Their huge hearts, organization skills, motivation, and energy will take us to this next level- watch out world, here comes St James Infirmary."- Dr. Pratima Gupta, SJI Medical Director

Most recently serving as the Development Officer for Maitri Compassionate Care, www.maitrisf.org, Newman will bring years of experience and direct knowledge to St. James Infirmary. Toni is a 1985 graduate of Wake Forest University and current candidate for her Juris of Doctorate (JD). Toni previously served as the Interim Director of Development & Communications at the To Help Everyone Health and Wellness Center and as a Strategic Fundraiser, Volunteer Recruiter, and Legislative Aide for Equality California.

Additionally, Newman is a best selling author, noted for her memoir I Rise -The Transformation of Toni Newman released in 2011. The memoir has been featured in Ebony and Advocate magazines, and nominated for the prestigious Lambda Literary award. Most recently the memoir has been produced into a short film titled Heart of a Woman by Alton Demore and Keith Holland; the film has been and continues to be screened in film festivals across the globe.

"I feel so honored to be appointed as the new Executive Director. My goal is to serve this community to the best of my ability and increase awareness of St. James Infirmary."- Toni Newman, SJI Executive Director

Long brings 15+ years in community organizing and health advocacy to St. James Infirmary. She is a graduate from UC Berkeley with a Masters in Public Health.

Since 2014 Long has served as a Health Educator and Advocate for the San Francisco County Jail system. She is passionate about working with and advocating for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated youth and adults, as well as LGBTQIA+ communities, people struggling with mental illness, homeless and marginally housed people, and students of all ages.

"I am so thrilled to be joining the incredibly talented team of dedicated people who make St. James such a unique and safe space for our clients and community. I bring more than 15 years of experience in mental health, harm reduction, nonprofit program management, health education and social justice advocacy that I see as a perfect match for the work St. James is doing across all levels. I am excited to work with our new Executive Director and long-term staff members to bring our patients the stability, resources, and support they need to thrive."

- Pike Long, SJI Deputy Director

It is a challenging time for sex worker rights and healthcare; criminalization and incarceration of the aforementioned community further marginalizes and disenfranchises, creating barriers to capacity building, and exacerbates a public health crisis. Additionally, current laws do nothing to minimize acts of coercion or violence. SJI is a non-profit, 501(c)3, that is supported by many organizations and individuals. To counterbalance the current ill-conceived and many harmful policies, SJI offers free, confidential, non- judgmental medical and social services for current and former sex workers of all genders. Since 1999, they have served over 7,000 unique participants and their partners. Each year they provide: ~2,000 medical services to over 500 unduplicated participants; ~2,000 contacts in our Syringe Access Program; between 1,500-2,000 street and venue based outreach contacts; and provide peer education workshops to over 500 sex worker attendees.

"As a co-founder and the Clinical Director of the Infirmary, I am delighted to announce the hiring of our new Executive and Deputy Director. Both women are highly skilled, dynamic individuals and each is the right woman, at the right time to move St. James Infirmary into its 20th year and beyond! Despite the many challenges we face as a community, our future is bright and in great hands."